Del Webb Southshore Falls Residents Create Their Own ‘Field of Dreams’ in Apollo Beach

APOLLO BEACH – After winding down busy careers and settling into new homes at Del Webb Southshore Falls, the four retirees were looking forward to their “active-adult” lives. But, instead of the typical tennis, golf or shuffleboard activities, this lively foursome had plans for a different kind of retirement. Don Cameron, Al Eaton, Bill Scalpelli and Randy Sanney wanted to do something that most of them hadn’t done for 20, or in some cases even 40, years…play softball. “Don actually started the team, Southshore, but because he’s a snowbird it basically left Al, Bill and I to keep the team going,” Sanney said. And, that’s exactly what they’ve done the past two years practicing every Monday at 9 a.m. and going to another nearby community field on Wednesdays to play against another team “just for fun.” The team roster now is up to 14, many of whom were recruited while exercising at the Del Webb Southshore Falls gym or pool. “When we first started we could not hit, nor catch,” said Sanney. But, the Detroit businessman who sold a wholesale business and moved to Del Webb Southshore Falls with wife Nancy three years ago soon discovered that was the least of their problems. The nearest ball field – about two miles from Del Webb Southshore Falls – was at the Apollo Beach Park on Golf and Sea Boulevard. There were no fences. No third base. The diamond was covered by grass and weeds. And, that was the good part. “The outfield had hundreds of anthills,” he recalled. After dousing the field with lots of liquid and powdered ant killer that he sprang for, he just hoped he “got them all.” The weed and grass issue was a different story. Because the park manager said machines were not allowed on the field, everything had to be done by hand. That included spraying gallons of weed killer, and digging up more than 50 wheelbarrows of sand and clay to level the field. To finish it off, it was raked by hand nearly a dozen times. It took about 30 days to complete, and as Sanney said, it is still a work in progress. “I go down there every Sunday and drag the field with a homemade chain-link fence that we made by screwing four- and six- inch screws into,” he added. Sanney – who played on adult softball leagues for about 20 years before quitting because of health issues – is to be commended for his tireless efforts on the Apollo Beach Park ball field, according to Steve Nicholson, lifestyle director at Del Webb Southshore Falls. “Randy has spent countless hours – not to mention money and sweat equity – on that field,” Nicholson said. We can’t thank him enough. And, who knows how many Apollo Beach residents are and will benefit from his good will.” Sanney said the guys – who have purchased jerseys and hats – now are starting to look like a real team and are as excited as a bunch of kids. But, what’s even more exciting, he said, is knowing that their hard work is appreciated. “Recently, when we were leaving the field a man and his son thanked us because they now can play T-ball without getting hurt,” Sanney explained. “Now, it’s all worth it to me.” Del Webb Southshore Falls offers single-family homes in four designs ranging from 1,730 to 2,278 square feet of living space and ranging in price from $214,990 to $234,990. Single-family homes feature two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms on 50-foot home sites. Also offered are villa homes in four designs ranging from 1,363 to 1,650 square feet and ranging in price from $157,990 to $184,990. The community features a 14,000-square foot Wellspring Club with its Seven Seas Grand Ballroom, heated tropical lagoon-style swimming pool, auxiliary pool, resistance swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis, pickleball and bocce ball courts, putting green, billiards room, Internet café, library, card room, arts and crafts room and a multitude of social clubs. Del Webb Southshore Falls offers an explore program featuring overnight accommodations in a fully-stocked and furnished villa with full access to amenities, two complimentary bicycles to use for the duration of the reservation and complimentary dinner vouchers. Three models open daily. For more information, contact the sales center at 866-813-4712.

Lennar Homes to Showcase Four New Models at Grand Opening of Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch Saturday, Feb. 1

BRADENTON, Fla. --- Lennar Homes will host a grand opening to showcase four new model homes on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch, located off Lakewood Ranch Blvd. in Bradenton. Matt Devereaux, director of sales and marketing for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the home builder will unveil its Princeton, Oxford, Chapel Hill and Cambridge Grande model Manor and Estate homes and provide refreshments and entertainment from 1 to 3 p.m. All four model homes are professionally decorated. The two-story Chapel Hill model home is the most expansive of the Estate Homes with five bedrooms, four full baths and one half bath in 3,800 square feet of living space with a three-car garage. The Cambridge Grande model home is almost as grand, with 3,025 square feet of space, three bedrooms, three full baths and one half bath. The two-story Cambridge Grande also features a three-car garage. Two model Manor Homes to be showcased include the Oxford, one of Lennar’s popular NextGen homes for families with multiple generations under one roof. The two-story Oxford model offers 3,828 square feet of living space with six bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths. The Oxford is designed to provide a private living suite that’s perfect for grown children living at home, elderly parents or other family members. The single-story Princeton model home offers 2,245 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, two baths and a three-car garage. All homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch feature Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: upgraded finishes, superior appliances and many unique features all included in the one Lennar Homes price. “Lakewood Ranch is such a unique community we knew we needed to design spectacular homes with exceptional features to meet the expectations of home buyers here,” Devereaux said. “With these four model homes we have exceeded our goal and I can’t wait to hear what people have to say about them,” Devereaux added. New homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch are priced from the low $300s.

Realvest Development Chairman sees advantages ahead as Spec Industrial Boom unfolds in 2014, Credits Economic Gains

Orlando, Fla. --- Co-Star Group’s latest forecast sees big gains in speculative warehouse development in 2014… and that’s good news for George Livingston, chairman of Realvest Development in Orlando. Ranked as one of Central Florida’s most active developers of commercial warehouse facilities in Central Florida, Realvest Development has liquidated much of its assets and is actively seeking specialized development opportunities. “Co-Star Group forecasts that demand for quality warehouse and distribution space will outstrip supply in 2014,” Livingston said, especially Class A distribution space. “Speculative development accounts for almost two-thirds of the 59 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space under way in the U.S. right now,” Livingston said. “Warehouse vacancies dropped almost a full percent nationwide last year and should drop below the 8 percent mark by summer,” Livingston said. “At the same time fully stabilized properties are selling at about the same low cap rates we saw at the top of the cycle,” he added. Among the economic forces spurring new warehouse development is obsolescence. “Tenants want modern, efficient space and much of the vacant space on the market today is older, poorly designed by today’s standards and ill-equipped to adequately accommodate modern, technology-proficient operations,” Livingston said. “Investors are seeking to buy well designed space in markets that have job and population growth and many areas are turning to new cluster designs that attract job creators. Those programs also accelerate demand for new space,” Livingston said.

DiVosta Homes to Host Model Showcase Events Feb. 1 at VeronaWalk in Naples and VillageWalk of Bonita Springs,

NAPLES, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes will host simultaneous model showcase events from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at VeronaWalk in Naples, 7676 Collier Blvd. Naples, and at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs, 28025 Umiak Court in Bonita Springs. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing, said DiVosta plans to showcase five decorated two and three-bedroom model homes ranging from 1,392 square feet of living space to 2,488 square feet at VeronaWalk in Naples, including – The three-bedroom Kendall II model with 1,759 square feet of living space that includes three baths along with a covered front porch and rear entry two-car garage, priced from $282,990. The 1,542 square foot Carrington II model, priced from $247,490, and the Tifton, priced from $322,990 with 1,861 square feet, both two-bedroom, two-bath plans with two-car garages. The three-bedroom Vernon Hill model home has a den and two baths in 1,911 square feet of living space, priced from $322,990 with a two-car garage. The 2,315 square foot Dunwoody Lane model, the largest model on display at VeronaWalk at Naples, with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, an open kitchen overlooking the great room, walk-in closets in all bedrooms, a guest suite with private bath and a two-car garage, all priced from $361,490. Mairn said Village Walk of Bonita Springs is offering tours of five decorated model homes, including the three-bedroom, three-bath, two-story Dublon model townhome, priced from $205,990; Four single-family homes – the two-bedroom Tifton model, priced from $282,490; the three-bedroom Vernon Hill, priced from $282,490; the Pine Spring with two bedrooms, two baths and a flex room/optional third bedroom in 1,429 square feet priced from $214,490 with a two-car garage ; and the three-bedroom Dunwoody Trail model, with 2,488 square feet of living space, three baths, plus a two-car garage, all priced from $338,990. Mairn said both model showcase celebrations will offer live music, refreshments and tours of model homes. The events are free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP for the VeronaWalk open house, call 239-417-6400 and for the VillageWalk event, 239-948-4141.

Oceans Luxury Realty to host open house to showcase new location in Daytona Beach Shores

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --- Oceans Luxury Realty will host an open house Feb. 13 to showcase its new offices at 3162 S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach Shores. Crystal Anderson and Enis Qosja, co-founders and partners at Oceans Luxury Realty, said the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and a tour of the firm’s third office from noon to 2 p.m. along with officials from the City and Board of Realtors. Anderson said the new offices are the result of a merger with Harbor Village Realty of Port Orange. Oceans Luxury Realty opened its doors last year.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long Term Lease on Hwy 17-92 in Longwood

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a long-term lease agreement for a 2,100 square foot free-standing retail building at 1000 S. U.S. Hwy 17-92 in Longwood. NAI Realvest Principals Matt Cichocki and Kevin O'Connor negotiated the lease representing the landlord Lee Chip Ith & Samneang Ith Chang of Lamont, Calif. TMX Finance of Savannah, Ga. is the new tenant operating an InstaLoan at the site. InstaLoan provides quick personal loans and they have locations throughout Florida and Georgia.

Celebration Golf Management Names General Manager at RedTail Golf Club

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management, which owns and/or operates seven golf courses in the Central Florida region, recently promoted Linda Gabauer to general manager at RedTail Golf Club Kenny Nairn, chief operating officer for Celebration Golf Management said Gabauer began her golf career at RedTail Golf Club in 2012. Prior to her promotion, she was assistant general manager. Nairn said Gabauer has 25 years of management experience in the high end retail industry. “Linda has had a vast range of responsibilities which have demonstrated her leadership and customer service, along with dedication, passion and commitment. These attributes come natural to her personal management skill, and are a must for our company,” Nairn said.

Stonegate Golf Club at Solivita recently hosts Wish Child and Family for VIP Weekend

KISSIMMEE Fla. -- Stonegate Golf Club recently extended its hospitality to nine-year-old Andrew Lumm and his family for a special V.I.P. treatment weekend. Andrew who is a wish child with Give Kids the World along with his twin sister Katelyn and brother Ryan, mom Rose Mary Lumm and dad, David Lumm were all given V.I.P. treatment during their 3-day stay. Arto Rahmani, general manager for Stonegate, said Rose Mary Lumm spoke to club members about what Give Kids the World has meant to her family. The Lumm family was also hosted at The Grille where they received magnificent meals with V.I.P. treatment. Rose and David Lumm met when Rose was teaching children for the Department of Defense in Germany and David was serving in the Army. Andrew loves exploring, reading and meeting new people and his twin Katelyn enjoys the outdoors, skating and praise dance. Older brother Ryan loves drama, reading and helping others. The Lumm family currently resides in Orlando. When asked; “what does Give Kids the World mean to your family?” Rose Lumm replied: “It is a gift…a slice of heaven on earth”

Over Seeding of Fairways at Legends Golf Club Now Complete, Fairway Cart Restrictions Have Been Lifted

CLERMONT, Fla. --- With a new look on the fairways at Legends Golf Club in Clermont, golfers are ready for the winter season. Jay Scruggs, general manager at Legends Golf Club, said they recently completed over seeding the fairways, greens, and tee boxes, all resulting in lush turf on every hole. “The visual appeal of the golf course is almost as important as its playability,” Scruggs said. “Over seeding at this time of the year means golfers can look forward to a great season of playing golf on a beautiful course,” he added. Scruggs said as many as three times the number of golfers will play Legends Golf Club over the next five months than in prior years. Legends Golf Club is open to the public seven days a week. Fairway cart restrictions have been lifted, much to the delight of everyone, Scruggs said. Around this time last year, Legends Golf Club in Clermont purchased 75 new 2013 Club Car Precedent model golf carts. Visit www.cgmgolfproperties.com.

Kings Ridge Golf Club Reopens Both Golf Courses after Reseeding as Staff Braces for Busy Winter Season

CLERMONT, Fla. --- Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont has reopened its fairways and removed all cart restrictions after extensive re-seeding and Lee Williamson, Head Golf Professional at Kings Ridge, said both 18-hole championship courses are in perfect shape for the winter season. “We are highly motivated and well prepared for a record winter season at Kings Ridge,” Williamson said. Williamson explained that Kings Ridge over-seeded the tees, fairways and greens on the Kings Course and the tees and greens of the Ridge Course. Current rates at Kings Ridge are $29.95 until 1 p.m. and $24.95 in the afternoons on the Kings Course. On the Ridge Course, greens fees are $21.95 before 1 p.m. and $14.95 in the afternoons. Kings Ridge Golf Club is owned and operated by Celebration Golf Management.